Voter Choice NJ's work is driven by dedicated volunteers who do local organizing on the ground and coordinate our central teams. In the coming months, Voter Choice NJ will need hard workers like you to help us make a difference.
For college students who are looking for a more structured volunteering schedule with high quality mentorship and projects in a variety of domains, Voter Choice NJ will partner with you to track your hours and produce clear deliverables that may be able to be recognized by your college / university as class credit.
Here are example opportunities, but VCNJ may present alternative projects that best fit the skills you want to grow during the internship.
Internship Description #1 – Ranked-Choice Voting Education & Community Demonstration
Public understanding of ranked-choice voting (RCV) remains limited, even as more municipalities and states consider adopting this electoral system. Misconceptions about how RCV works and its impact on election outcomes can hinder informed participation and engagement. A well-organized public demonstration can help educate voters, build community awareness, and foster confidence in ranked-choice voting.
In this role, the student will plan and execute a public education event demonstrating the ranked-choice voting process. Responsibilities will include applying best practices for RCV education, coordinating with local election officials and advocacy organizations, and community-taylored materials that explain how ranked-choice elections work. The student will also design an interactive mock-election using a relatable topic (e.g., favorite local food or music)—to help participants understand the mechanics of ranking candidates and how votes are counted. Additionally, the student will conduct outreach to engage diverse community members, ensuring broad participation and feedback. Following the event, the student will assess its effectiveness by gathering participant insights and exploring strategies to improve RCV education initiatives in the future.
Internship Description #2 – Ranked-Choice Voting Educational Materials & Public Engagement
Public understanding of ranked-choice voting (RCV) is essential for informed participation, yet many voters still have questions about how the system works and its impact on elections. Clear, engaging, and accessible educational materials can help demystify RCV and empower communities to engage with the electoral process more confidently.
In this role, the student will develop materials to effectively answer common questions about ranked-choice voting and improve public understanding. This will include reviewing existing FAQs, fact sheets, and other informational resources to identify areas for improvement in clarity, accuracy, and accessibility. The student will research best practices in voter education and collaborate with volunteers to create new materials such as explainer videos, infographics, and interactive guides that make RCV concepts easier to grasp. Additionally, the student will engage with community members to identify the most common concerns and misconceptions about RCV, ensuring that materials directly address voter needs. After developing and refining these resources, the student will explore strategies for effectively distributing them—both online and in community settings—to maximize outreach and impact.
Scholars in all roles will:
- Gain practical research and data collection experience.
- Work with experts on proposed advocacy legislation
- Build their professional network.
- Participate in political engagement and presentations as available.
- Add experience to their resume/CV.
Qualifications for both roles:
Voter Choice NJ seeks to work with students pursuing degrees in Political Science, Public Policy, Urban Studies, Sociology, or related fields who have an interest in electoral systems, government accountability, and voter engagement. However, students outside of these majors are encouraged to apply if they are passionate about the work. Candidates should be comfortable working remotely and independently.
Applicants should also possess:
- Strong research and data analysis skills, including familiarity with electoral data and statistical interpretation.
- Experience with survey development and design.
- Confidence in conducting outreach to municipal officials, election administrators, and community organizations to gather information.
- Ability to engage with voters and community members to assess their experiences with election processes.
- Strong analytical skills to identify trends in voter turnout and election outcomes.
- Critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity in approaching electoral reform discussions.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and writing skills.
- Proficiency with common business and research software (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Zoom, email, and web-based productivity tools).
- Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and maintain timely communication.
Information for Applicants: The time commitment required for these roles will be agreed-upon during the selection process; however, it is anticipated that the requirement will be flexible and between 3-10 hours a week during the length of the internship.
Potential deliverables that can be completed in connection with these roles:
- Write a completed report/thesis on findings which will be published in the Voter Choice NJ newsletter and/or shared with other election-reform focused nonprofit organizations.
- Create a powerpoint presentation on findings and participate in a final presentation with Voter Choice NJ.
- Assist in the education of ranked-choice voting to local communities and elected officials.
- Provide a comprehensive report and analysis of all collected data.
To Apply: Fill out this form, attend a screening call with a Voter Choice NJ volunteer. You will have the option to attach resume or cover letter in a response to the confirmation email sent by this form. Questions to evaluation committee should be sent to [email protected]. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
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